Fortunately, Ruger makes an online tool available to Ruger owners to help read Ruger serial numbers and determine the weapon's date of manufacture. Access the Ruger website. The company's website link is provided below in the 'Resources' section of this article. MGW stocks thousands of both Ruger OEM gun parts as well as performance upgrades from many well-known manufactures. Ruger parts for pistols like the popular LC9 series and SR series pistols as well as many parts for the Mark Series pistols and more. Ruger Rifle parts such as the ever popular 10/22, 77 and 96 models, the Ruger Mini-14 and Mini 30 platforms as well as todays Ruger American Rifle.
- Charts on this page will help you determine the year your Ruger Mark series pistol was produced based on the serial number of your Mark I, Mark II or Mark III. Ruger Mark I, Mark II and Mark III Serial Numbers - Muzzle First. Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production: 1.
- Ruger Mark I; Eligible for. Quantity: Quantity Limit of 3. Due to high demand and our desire to serve as many Customers as possible, we are currently limiting the quantity that each individual Customer may order. Add to Cart Notify Me. Add to Wish List Email to Friend; Overview.
![Ruger Ruger](/uploads/1/1/7/6/117649109/854038732.jpg)
The Perfect Prepper’s Pistol?
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]’m almost hesitant to use the word Iconic in a discussion of just about anything these days. It’s become one of those vastly over used words that writers want to throw in to lend importance to their work, or to lend power to their opinions. So, I searched my vocabulary in hopes of finding a better word to describe the Ruger Mark I Pistol .22 LR, and my efforts failed. Truly, this is a firearm that not only legitimately achieves that status, but really defines the term in its class.
History of the Ruger Mark I Pistol .22 LR
Since its introduction in 1949, millions of copies have rolled out of the factory, and although it has morphed a bit through the MK II, III, and IV models, the basic design remains alive, well, in production, and extremely popular to this day.
The Ruger Standard, as it was originally known, had its origins in Bill Ruger’s garage. Bill wanted to design and market a new type of pistol, and in 1945 acquired a captured Nambu pistol from a returning marine. He was eventually able to create a pair of copies, and then moved on to build a prototype of his new design.
He kept the Nambu’s basic silhouette and bolt design and built a rimfire pistol around it. Unlike the vast majority of semiautomatic handguns the Nambu, and hence the Standard, MK I, and all subsequent iterations, lacked a slide. Instead, it incorporates a bolt inside a tubular receiver and utilizes a standard blow-back action. This is a lot more reminiscent of semiautomatic rifles than it is of the majority of pistols. It is, however, a very rugged and reliable design.
Bill was quite satisfied with what he had created, but lacked the capitol to begin production and marketing. Enter Alex Strum. Strum liked what he saw in the new design, being rather taken by its sleek appearance and its resemblance to the classic Lugers (When I bought mine in 1981, I had the exact same thought!). So he threw down 50K in venture capital, and Strum, Ruger, and Co. was born. Their vision was to produce an affordable pistol with wide appeal, and with some manufacturing innovations (Coiled piano wire springs instead of flat springs, and a formed and welded two part receiver to name two) they produced a handgun that sold for a very competitive $37.50.
It was on for the duo, and their first creation would launch a major firearms company, and would eventually become (arguably) the most well loved rimfire pistol of all time.
I got my MK I target model in 1981, which was the last production year of the MK I. At the time there were several variations available, primarily distinguished by barrel length and contour. I opted for a 6.75 inch barrel with adjustable target sights.
The other option I considered was the shorter Bull Barrel target model, but I really liked the looks of the longer tapered version, and have never regretted the decision. Here I should note that fixed sight variants are properly called “Standard Automatics”, but colloquially all pre MK IIs are often referred to as MK Is, although this designation is only properly applied to target models).
For the past 36 years, my MK I has served a variety of roles, has functioned flawlessly in a variety of field conditions, and remains my most used handgun. I have used it for plinking, small game hunting, carried it while running trap lines, used it as my truck gun, my nightstand gun, and even as a carry piece on occasion. It has provided untold hours of great shooting; it is a very fun pistol at the range! It is by far the most versatile weapon in my handgun holdings.
Design Features
As previously noted, the action consists of a bolt within a tubular receiver. This configuration is ridiculously reliable, tough as nails, and protects the inner workings from the environment. The overall balance of the weapon, despite the barrel length, is superb, and it is a very intuitive weapon to aim. The sights are top notch, a large back cut blade at the front and a set of micro adjustable (windage and elevation) leafs on the back, it is a tack driver that has proven itself fully capable of 50 yard head shots on squirrels from California to Missouri.
On the left side of the grip is the combination safety/bolt release button. As a safety, it will only engage when the weapon is cocked. In order to use it as a bolt hold back, it is pushed to the up position while holding the bolt open. Pushing it to the down position releases the bolt. This button is easily operated by the shooters thumb, and is large enough to be easily engaged or disengaged, but flush enough not to interfere with drawing from a holster.
There is no automatic bolt hold back on an empty magazine, in MK IIs and beyond, there is an automatic bolt hold back, which I must admit is an improvement. The magazine holds 9 rounds which was increased to10 beginning with the MK IIs, also a minor improvement.
Reliability
In terms of reliability, I have had next to zero failures, either in firing or loading. Through the years I have gone through 10s of thousands of rounds from just about every available manufacturer without a hitch. In short, unlike a lot of more recent offerings to the rimfire handgun market, the Rugers are not picky eaters. I guess the only ammo that hasn’t always reliably cycled has been some Aquilla Sniper Subsonic, which is pretty much to be expected and not at all surprising (Tend to use this stuff most often in my bolt gun or in a revolver where cycling isn’t an issuer). Also unlike more recent .22 pistols, this gun isn’t picky about how you hold it. Many newer models won’t cycle properly if your wrist isn’t locked up, you will get failure to feed with a sloppy wrist. While I don’t recommend shooting limp wristed, the MK I doesn’t care, making it great for beginners to learn on.
I know that most folks in the survivalist niche are looking at newer designs in bigger calibers, but I’m here to tell you that if I was limited to a single handgun in a SHTF situation, I would hands down without hesitation grab my MK I. Why? I’ve already mentioned most of the reasons, so let’s put them into context.
High on the list is that it is a rugged, reliable, and dependable weapon. Any firearm that can consume 10s of thousands of rounds over 36 years and still shoot like the first day it came out of the box is worthy of respect and consideration. That kind of longevity is unheard of, and is of paramount importance when the local gunsmith is no longer in business.
Versatility
The biggest reason, however, is its versatility.
With my trusty old pistol, I can put food on the table. The .22 LR is capable of putting down a wide range of small game, from squirrels to groundhogs, raccoons, opossum, pretty much anything Granny would have cooked up for Jethro.. On one occasion, I actually shot a quail on the wing with this gun, if that isn’t accuracy and intuitive aiming I don’t know what is. I never tried that again, one of those deals where you definitely quit while you’re ahead. Point being, an accurate .22 pistol will feed you better than all the Glocks in the world.
Despite a less than enthusiastic reception as a defensive caliber, the .22 LR is an adequate if not optimum round. The fact that this is an incredibly accurate weapon makes it even more effective. OK, so it puts small holes in bad guys, but a small hole directly between the eyes will kill bad guys dead. Even Navy Seals have found a place for .22 pistols, and the pistol of choice in this category was a MK I with an integral suppressor. You don’t argue with Seals about such things!
An Excellent Prepper’s Pistol
I often include my MK I in my get home kit. As we all know, you can’t always accommodate everything you want in your emergency gear. Choices have to be made, and often the choices are determined by the most utility for the least weight. A .22 caliber handgun, particularly one as dependable and accurate as the MK I, packs a whole lot of utility in a small package. As an added bonus, you can easily carry a hundred rounds of ammo in a pants pocket without any difficulty, which is a lot of bang in a small package.
I think what a lot of us forget from time to time is that survival and preparedness are not about looking like the cover of Soldier of Fortune magazine, it’s about making the most out of the least and doing what it takes to get you out the other side. The Ruger MK I is a testament to this philosophy, a defensive weapon, a deterrent, and a fine hunting tool rolled into a handy package that rides on your hip.
Obviously, I’m a pretty big fan of the Ruger Mark I Pistol .22 LR, and I don’t feel the least bit trite referring to it as Iconic. Subsequent models are all fine guns as well, and have held true to the principals of the original design. Any of the Ruger .22 Autos would be a fine choice and a great addition to your preparedness arsenal, and they are just plain fun to shoot!
Ruger #1 Rifle
1967 1-2230
1968 2231-5884
1969 5886-8437
1970 130-00001 to 130-01680
1971 130-01681 to 130-03842
1972 130-03843 to 130-04858
1973 130-04859 to 130-05202
1974 130-05203 to 130-12778
1975 130-12779 to 130-17498
1976 130-17490 to 130-40794
1977 130-40795 to 130-73399
1978 131-03175 to 131-46675
1979 131-46676 to 131-53403
1980 132-01360 to 132-07158
1981 132-07159 to 132-25985
1982 132-25986 to 132-34076
1983 132-34077 to 132-39042
1984 132-39043 to 132-54433
1985 132-54434 to 132-73031
1986 132-73032 to 132-76166
1987 132-76167 to 132-79518
1988 132-79519 to 132-83109
1989 132-83110 to 132-87028
1990 132-87029 to 132-92984
1991 132-92985 to 132-95718
1992 132-95719 to 132-99164
![Mark Mark](/uploads/1/1/7/6/117649109/838314979.jpg)
1993 132-99165 to 133-13006
1994 133-13007 to 133-22066
1995 133-22067 to 133-29050
1996 133-29051 to 133-36392
1997 133-36393 to 133-47013
1998 133-47014 to 133-54088
1999 133-54089 to 133-69290
2000 133-69291 to 133-77838
2001 133-77839 to 133-88973
2002 133-88974 to 133-92275
2003 133-92276 to 133-99908
2004 134-00011 to 134-07099
2005 134-07100 to 134-15410
2006 134-15411 to 134-19169
2007 134-19170 to 134-22929
2008 134-22930 to 134-26160
2009 134-26161 to 134-27797
2010 134-27798 to 134-32638
2011 134-32639 to 134-36487
2012 134-36488
Ruger M77
Ruger Mfg Dates By Serial
1968 1-
1969 1912-
1970 70-14532 -
1971 70-23555-
1972 70-45045-
1973 70-67406-
1974 70-87509-
1975 71-28501-
Sturm Ruger Serial Number Lookup
1976 71-75101-
1977 72-38101-
1978 73-05351-
1979 73-92701-
1980 74-65901-
1981 75-42703-
1982 75-97690-
1983 77-50834-
1984 77-68636-